Self-compassion is simply giving the same kindness to ourselves that we would give to others.
-Christopher Germer

What Our Participants Say
Really appreciate the focus on nursing mental health.
Aromatherapy came in handy during stressful shifts!
This is a great study and very nice to have an aspect of self-care at work.
I like the whole aromatherapy mindfulness practice. It gives me time to re-center and re-focus despite the things happening around me.

Poster References
Ascents. (n.d.). Ascents clinical aromatherapy professional sampling program. Retrieved March 24, 2024, from https://www.shopascents.com/pages/clinical-aromatherapy-sampling-professionals
Bahadori, H., Amiri, M., Sharafi, H., & Entezari, A. (2022). The effect of aromatherapy with damask rose on anxiety, accuracy and job stress in operating room nurses. Journal of Evidence-Based Care, 12(1), 56–62. https://doi.org/10.22038/EBCJ.2022.64364.2670
Chen, M.-C., Fang, S.-H., & Fang, L. (2015). The effects of aromatherapy in relieving symptoms related to job stress among nurses. International Journal of Nursing Practice, 21(1), 87–93. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijn.12229
Cohen, S., & Williamson, G. M. (1988). Perceived stress in a probability sample of the united states. In S. Spacapan & S. Oskamp (Eds.). The Social Psychology of Health, 31–67. https://www.cmu.edu/dietrich/psychology/stress-immunity-disease-lab/scales/pdf/cohen,-s.--williamson,-g.-1988.pdf
Dang, D., Dearholt, S., Bissett, K., Ascenzi, J., & Whalen, M. (2022). Johns hopkins evidence-based practice for nurses and healthcare professionals: Model and guidelines (4th ed.). Sigma Theta Tau International.
DiGalbo, R. T., & Reynolds, S. S. (2022). Use of topical lavender essential oils to reduce perceptions of burnout in critical care. AACN Advanced Critical Care, 33(4), 312–318. https://doi.org/10.4037/aacnacc2022289
Dyrbye, L. N., Shanafelt, T. D., Sinsky, C. A., Cipriano, P. F., Bhatt, J., Ommaya, A., West, C. P., & Meyers, D. (2017). Burnout among health care professionals: A call to explore and address this underrecognized threat to safe, high-quality care. NAM Perspectives, 7(7). https://doi.org/10.31478/201707b
Emadikhalaf, M., Ghods, A., Sotodeh-Asl, N., Mirmohamadkhani, M., & Vaismoradi. (2023). Effects of rose and lavender scents on nurses’ job stress: A randomized controlled trial. Explore, 19(3), 371–375. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2023.01.002
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Gee, P. M., Weston, M. J., Harshman, T., & Kelly, L. A. (2022). Beyond burnout and resilience: The disillusionment phase of covid-19. AACN Advanced Critical Care, 33(2), 134–142. https://doi.org/10.4037/aacnacc2022248
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Kerr, D., Hegg, M., & Mohebbi, M. (2021). Effects of diffused essential oils for reducing stress and improving mood for clinical nurses: An interventional time series study. Nursing Forum, 56(2), 305–312. https://doi.org/10.1111/nuf.12548
Kreitzer, M. J., & Koithan, M. (2018). Integrative nursing. Oxford University Press.
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Maslach, C., & Leiter, M. P. (2016). Understanding the burnout experience: Recent research and its implications for psychiatry. World Psychiatry, 15(2), 103–111. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20311
Montibeler, J., Domingos, T., Braga, E., Gnatta, J., Kurebayashi, L., & Kurebayashi, A. (2018). Effectiveness of aromatherapy massage on the stress of the surgical center nursing team: A pilot study. Revista Da Escola de Enfermagem Da USP, 52(03348). https://doi.org/10.1590/S1980-220X2017038303348
Muir, K., Wanchek, T. N., Lobo, J. M., & Keim-Malpass, J. (2021). Evaluating the costs of nurse burnout-attributed turnover: A markov modeling approach. Journal of Patient Safety, 18(4), 351–357. https://doi.org/10.1097/pts.0000000000000920
National Council of State Boards of Nursing. (2023, April 13). Ncsbn research projects significant nursing workforce shortages and crisis. www.ncsbn.org. Retrieved March 24, 2024, from https://www.ncsbn.org/news/ncsbn-research-projects-significant-nursing-workforce-shortages-and-crisis
Nundy, S., Cooper, L. A., & Mate, K. S. (2022). The quintuple aim for health care improvement. JAMA, 327(6), 521. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2021.25181
Reven, M. E., Humphrey-Rowan, J., & Moore, N. F. (2020). West virginia university oncology nurses don aromatherapy patches: A pilot feasibility study. International Journal of Professional Holistic Aromatherapy, 8(4), 7–15.
Shin, Y., Lee, S.-Y., Lee, J.-M., Kang, P., & Seol, G. (2020). Effects of short-term inhalation of patchouli oil on professional quality of life and stress levels in emergency nurses: A randomized controlled trial. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 26(11), 1032–1038. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2020.0206
Şimşek, P., & Çilingir, D. (2021). The efficacy of lavender aromatherapy in reducing the overcrowding-related anxiety in health care workers. Advanced Emergency Nursing Journal, 43(3), 225–236. https://doi.org/10.1097/tme.0000000000000364
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Zamanifar, S., Bagheri-Saveh, M. I., Nezakati, A., Mohammadi, R., & Seidi, J. (2020). The effect of music therapy and aromatherapy with chamomile-lavender essential oil on anxiety of clinical nurses: A randomized and double-blind clinical trial. Journal of Medicine and Life, 13(1), 87–93. https://doi.org/10.25122/jml-2019-0105
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Acknowledgments
Special thanks to Ascents for the Clinical Aromatherapy donations and Smiling Mind for approving the use of the app in this project.
Dr. Whealon &
Dr. Campbell
Inspired by my project chair and faculty team member, whose guidance and expertise have been instrumental in the success of this project.
Dr. Apodaca
Her unwavering belief in my abilities and constant encouragement have been a beacon of confidence throughout this journey.
UCI NSCU Team
Heartfelt thanks to the UCI Neuroscience ICU team for their steadfast support and collaboration.
Acknowledgments
Also appreciate Dr. Drew de Paz for sharing her expertise in mindfulness.
Steve Clancy
My sincere gratitude goes to the biostatistician & librarian, whose expert literature search support and data analysis assistance were pivotal to the integrity and success of our findings.
Eli Bonode &
Maggy Huang
I extend my profound gratitude to my project champions, whose unwavering support and dedication have been essential to the implementation of this project.
Family
My journey to this point would not have been possible without the relentless encouragement from my family, especially my husband Toan. Thank you for believing in me.